The Gift Guide

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

After taking some inspiration from Pretty in Pink (the parts where Andie, aka Molly Ringwald, refurbishes old/ordinary clothes into something new and fabulous), I decided to make my own ruffle/corsage shirt. So without further adieu, I give you my very first (but not my last) tutorial!

You'll need to get 2 shirts- same style/color. Buy the 1st shirt in your size and the 2nd shirt in the largest size available. You'll be cutting up the 2nd shirt and the larger the size, the more fabric you will have. I bought these 2 shirts at target on sale for $4 each, a grand total of $8 for this project!

For your posies, you will need 3 different sizes of circles. I used what I could find for my stencils- a spool of ribbon, a spool of jewelry wire and a container top. Just use whatever you can find or just eyeball it, the sizes are completely up to you.

I used a fabric pencil to trace my "stencils" onto my 2nd shirt. If you don't have a fabric pencil handy, you can always trace your circles onto paper, pin the paper to fabric and cut away.

Now start cutting out your circles. I found it easiest to layer my fabric and cut out 3 circles at a time.

Keep cutting until you have your desired amount of posies. 1 Small, 1 medium, 1 large circle makes up 1 flower. It is completely up to you how many you want to make and how "full" you want your shirt to look. I wanted a really full and ruffly look so I made around 18 posies. Don't worry about your circles being perfect.

Next, sew your posies to your shirt. You can either machine stitch (3 stitches front and 3 stitched back) or hand sew them on. Pinch the flower before sewing to get the bunchy look. I started out on my sewing machine but I quickly moved to hand sewing because I found that it was much easier to bunch and pinch the layers. This doesn't need to be perfect- the messier the bunching, the better.

Bunch the posies close together. I staggered mine a little, still bunched in tight, in a zigzag pattern. You can see that my circles are already looking like posies after only 3 have been sewn on. I could have stopped here for a different look.

Keep sewing until you have a shirt full of posies- super cute and very affordable!

Well Vanessa, thats a bit cheeky but very clever, what a fabulous use of old Tshirts, and the flowers are stunning, I reakon you could make those flowers for crafting, will have to have a go. Well done with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxx

oh my god, Deb just bought a version of this shirt..she's going to return it and make her own. Also, your version is awesome, it's more balanced on the neckline, and I really like your tutorial. p.s.I also really like that your website girl looks just like you! -Heart Laura & Deb

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About Vanessa

Hello! My name is Vanessa and I live in Arizona with my husband (Mr. Designs by Vanessa) and two furbabies. After trying for over 2 years, we're happily expecting a baby boy in August! I blog about crafting and things that I love (stick around to figure out what that is). If you couldn't tell, I also have a love for all things birdie. Who said a girlie girl couldn't have a love for nature?!